Health Benefits of Peanuts

Also known as ground nuts, peanuts, along with beans and peas are members of the legume family which are the best sources of protein in the plant kingdom. Peanuts are found in a wide variety of products. They can be eaten salted, dry roasted, boiled and even raw. They can be found in peanut brittle, peanut butter and candy bars and is often a major ingredient in mixed nuts.

1. Helps Promote Fertility (Folate)Peanuts contain a good amount of folate. Repeated studies have shown that women who had a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduced their risk of having a baby born with a serious neural tube defect by up to 70%.

2. Aids in Blood Sugar Regulation (Manganese)One fourth cup of peanuts can supply the body with 35% of the DV of manganese, a mineral which plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation.

3. Helps Prevent GallstonesIt may come as a surprise that peanuts can help prevent gallstones. But 20 years of studies have shown that eating 1 ounce of nuts, peanuts or peanut butter a week lowers the risk of developing gallstones by 25%.

4. Helps Fight Depression (Tryptophan)Peanuts are good sources of tryptophan, an essential amino acid which is important for the production of serotonin, one of the key brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. When depression occurs, a decreased amount of serotonin may be released from the nerve cells in the brain. Tryptophan may raise serotonin’s antidepressant effects when there is an increased amount of serotonin in the blood.

5. Boosts Memory Power (Vitamin B3)Do you know what can be found in peanuts that gave them the “brain food” tag? This is due to their vitamin B3 or niacin content whose many health benefits include normal brain functioning and boosting memory power.

6. Helps Lower Cholesterol Levels (Copper)The same nutrient which gives peanuts their memory enhancing power also helps lower and control cholesterol levels. Added to that is their copper contents which aids in reducing bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels.

7. Lowers Risk of Heart DiseaseNumerous studies have shown that regular nuts consumption is linked to reduced risk of heart disease. Peanuts are rich in heart-friendly monounsaturated fats and antioxidants such as oleic acid. Reach for a handful of peanuts and other nuts at least four times a week to reduce your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease.

8. Protects Against Age-related Cognitive Decline (Vitamin B2)Study participants have shown that those who have an intake of the most niacin-rich foods like peanuts were 70% less likely to have developed Alzheimer’s disease. A quarter cup a day of peanuts can already supply almost a quarter of the daily needed value for niacin.

9 Cancer ProtectionA form of phytosterol called beta-sitoserol (SIT) is found in high concentrations in some plant oils, seeds, and legumes including peanuts. Phytosterols not only protects against cardiovascular disease by interfering with the absorption of cholesterol, they also protect against cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.

10. Lowers Risk of Weight GainSurprise! Eating nuts regularly is associated with a lowered risk of weight gain. Research has shown that people who eat nuts at least twice weekly are much less likely to gain weight than those who almost never eat them.

to gain weight you need to provide your body with more calories than needed. besides it is not a spontaneous weight gain because it is a process over years and years. know your basic metaboric rate (BMR), your thermic effect of food (TEF) and termic effect of activity (TEA) and consume beyond your metabolic requirements.

Go to gym to build body to give an appearance of a built body.Eat more, sleep less. It'll do the trick. Visit the link belowhttp://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/lack-of-sleep-weight-gainhttp://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/06/how-sleep-loss-adds-to-weight-gain/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Peanuts are excellent source of resveratrol, another polyphenol antioxidant, which has been found to have protective function against cancers, heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer's disease, and viral/fungal infections.

Well, I didn't know peanuts have several good benefits. I used to often think peanuts to be bad for health. Heard from someone that it leads to weight gain. Surprised to know that it helps shed off weight....!!!

l so love peanut but at the same time scared of the fatty oil, ignorantly thinking it will aid one to be fat.l so appreciate This article. Surprise that some medical personnel don't know about this and such discourage it's consumption. Thanks.

Peanut is good source of proteins, high in monounsaturated fat.peanut contains folate, magnesium , coper vit E , fiber & arginine these r all important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, also contains resveratrol which inhibits the growth of colorectal tumor cells..in general it z having anti cancer action by sitoseral.it z good fruit for pregnant women also.prefer always to take with small bowel of curd

Am having problem loosing weight after the birth of my son he is a year now and I can't reduce my weight and the birth of my baby has turn me into protein eater now I eat groundnut everyday what can I do?

I am a regular eater of raw onion, like peanuts, not knowing the varied health benefits of both. Somehere I read onion kills nicotine. I am a chain smoker, now at 58 yrs. going strong ! May the onion/peanuts effect !infrmation.